Inaugural game in the books

The Saddleback men's soccer team played its first game in history on Tuesday at San Diego Mesa College.  The Bobcats played gamely in falling 2-1 to the Olympians.

Saddleback may be in its first year but looked ready to compete immediately in their first performance on the pitch.  The Bobcats outshot Mesa but were stymied a number of times by some hot goalkeeping from the Olympians. 

Saddleback controlled played early, but it was Mesa that got on the scoreboard first with a goal in the 25^th minute that found the upper right corner of the net.  The score would remain the same until the second half of play.

Saddleback made history 10 minutes into the second half when Tyler Petersen took a pass from Gian Cortez and beat the Mesa keeper to the left side of the goal.  It was the first goal in program history and had the Saddleback faithful on their feet.

The teams played even the rest of the way until Mesa tallied a second goal on a header in the 77^th minute.  It gave the Olympians a lead they would never relinquish.

Saddleback had multiple chances down the stretch, but consecutive saves from Mesa keeper Emiliano Barragan kept the Bobcats off the scoreboard.

Saddleback has the rest of the week off and will play at home in the inaugural home game on Tuesday evening against Pasadena City College.    Game time is scheduled for 6:00 PM.  Purchase tickets online at TICKETS (scroll down to men's soccer and choose game).